They finally took the lead - on the night and on aggregate - at the start of the second half, when Sergio Ramos deflected Nani's cross into his own net.

The match then turned in Real's favour just before the hour mark when referee Cuneyt Cakir dismissed the Portuguese for a high boot that made contact with Alvaro Arbeloa's rib-cage.

Mourinho's side took advantage of the decision in clinical fashion.
Former Tottenham player Modric
curled in a sublime equaliser after he came off the substitute's bench, and Ronaldo scored from close range after a stylish move.

"My feeling is that Manchester United were playing very well, were very compact and aggressive in a good way," Mourinho added. "I doubt that 11 v 11 we win the match.

"I know Manchester United are giants, not just physically but mentally. I know they have a manager who can motivate then, but I was waiting for us to play in a different way."

Before kick-off, Ronaldo was given a warm reception by supporters at the club where he had played a pivotal role in the
winning of the Champions League in 2008,
as well as three Premier League titles, in a six-year spell in England.

The attacker - who moved to Real for a record £80m fee in 2009 - admitted he had been overwhelmed by the reaction.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "It was an emotional moment for me, for both games, but especially tonight.

"I do not have words to explain how I feel. The supporters made me feel shy. I did not play how I play all the time."

All that matters is that Real won. I wouldn't be surprised if Fergie doesn't even know about Jose's comments; his team just dumped Man U out of the cup at Old Trafford! Jose can say what he likes, everyone knows he's giggling like a fool on the inside.

"the best team lost" Jose is definitely the special one, apart from all his other talents he has a very dry black sense of humour. I can just imagine on the trip home, he stands up and says mournfully "the best team lost" to howls of laughter! United were second best trying to hang on to an away goal. RM should have had 5 goals from the first leg alone, dream on SAF.

Mmmm...Jose working his PR skills again? Future successor at Old Trafford perhaps? Sure the utd fans will take some comfort from his 'nice' words.Reality is decisions go for and against your team and on this 'rare' occasion it went against utd

Did anyone else detect the sarcasm of Jose's comments? He is a master of mind games and by telling the press "the better team lost" he is just tweeking SAF's nose in a most polite way. In no way would any true fan/coach/analyst really think MUFC were the better team the other night. RM showed more character and maturity - and skill. Oh yeah, RM scored three times (1 OG) and MUFC scored none.

I have never been a fan of Renaldo's (most footballers) attitude towards the game and supporters until this match,how refreshing to see some dignity and respect shown unreservedly by this fabulous player.If only all this was the everyday norm not the exception to the rule.

598 contd. Even my fiancee (from Poole) gets in on the act. I said bobbins last week & she had a go at me for "speaking northern" :-)Worked with a Goodison season ticket holder who went on about Liverpool fans not coming from Liverpool, which was the first time I was aware of this. 80's kid so I was brought up on the cliche of Liverpool & Everton fans skipping across Stanley Park hand in hand :-)

@525 I haven't lived in Manchester for over 10 years and regularly travel with the Dorset supporters club. It's weird some of the accusations you face. Was once on a train on way to SB & got talking to some Chelsea fans from their Dorset supporters club who reckoned I was faking my Manc accent, because no Utd fans come from Manchester etc etc. I guess irony is just lost on some people :-)

Was I the only person that said, red! As soon as I saw this happen live? No idea why the ref took so long to get it out of his pocket. Studs up into his chest.. letter of the law the referee shouldn't have even had to think about his decison. Brilliant tie though shame poor sportsmanship of united players ruined a great match.

@589 As a united fan I HAVE NEVER felt such a great sense of injustice and i've never ever felt like that before when decisions have gone against United. I just get on with it usually but for some reason last night that decision affected me more than I can ever remember. I couldn't drive home for a while after cos I was so angry.

BBC links

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